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Stanton back in lineup after mental breather

Stanton back in lineup after mental breather

7/28/13: Giancarlo Stanton launches a solo home run to center off Gerrit Cole, giving the Marlins a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth

By Joe Frisaro
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MLB.com |

MIAMI -- A couple of days off may be exactly what Giancarlo Stanton needs to get back on track.

That's the hope. It hasn't always been the case in the roughest stretch of the 23-year-old's career.

The Marlins slugger is batting .237 with 13 home runs and 35 RBIs. In August, he's hitting at a .136 (6-for-44) clip. His last home run came July 28 at Marlins Park against Pittsburgh.

To help ease Stanton's mind, manager Mike Redmond gave him Wednesday off at Kansas City. Because the team had a scheduled off-day Thursday, Stanton should be refreshed with a two-day breather.

"You have a guy who obviously is so important to this lineup and this ballclub," Redmond said. "I wish I never had to give him a day off. Obviously, that would be easy for me.

"At the same time, too, you've got to look at him. I know he's been struggling. It made sense for me. As tough as it is to get him out of there, sometimes it's the right thing to do."

In Stanton, Redmond sees a hitter who is lacking conviction.

"Personally, for me, it's always centered around one thing, and that's confidence," Redmond said. "It really comes down to confidence. All hitters ride those streaks. When they're confident, they can hit anything. When they're not, they struggle."